I love the freedom of cycling! As a young boy, that first bicycle was special. Mine was a green coaster bike that had the perfect gear ratio so I could beat all my friends in races. I rode my wonderful bicycle with my brothers, and we found freedom and joy in cycling. At the time, I only knew, that each day, I just wanted to get my chores done so I could ride.
I've had cycling come and go through my life as I aged to adulthood. When I was serving in the military, my car had broken down and a friend loaned me his bicycle. It was much too large for me, but it provided a means of transportation that I didn't otherwise have. That spirit of my childhood and the freedom of riding still burned inside me.
Having ridden for a long time, I never really felt very vulnerable on a bicycle. Car drivers didn't seem to mind my presence on the roads and made allowances for me. For me it always felt like a symbiotic relationship between the bicycles and the cars, getting along in sweet harmony.
Riding a bicycle to work however represented many benefits and challenges. When I have been able to ride to work everyday, I have always felt like I was in greater and greater shape. My sleep was better, and I generally felt stronger. While I felt stronger, there was always the issue of hygiene. Riding in a warm climate quickly creates a lot of sweat, and with sweat, body odor. The most optimal times for riding to work have included a gym at or near the office to shower and dress for the work.
The drawbacks for those rides were challenging. Handling clothing, weather, and tired legs were just a few. Almost always, I have to carry clothes with me in a backpack along with shoes and my laptop. This requires a decent size backpack which isn't very conducive to great riding. Bad weather is also a challenge in both directions. If at work and storm comes up, I would have to beg for a ride home with someone that had a vehicle large enough for the bike. As for tired legs, in the beginning of each effort for riding, inherently, my legs were too tired to ride back home, which also led to begging for rides.
As to the dangers of riding, on April 24, just a few weeks ago, I was sideswiped by an SUV on a road very near to my house while on my bicycle. The driver left the scene, and I received a number of injuries and broken bones. This brought a reality to the dangers of cycling and placed it clearly in view. The assumption of the symbiotic relationship mentioned earlier was abolished, and an ensuing distrust for automobile drivers replaced it. While I have thousands of hours on the bicycle for recreation, exercise and commuting, all in relative safety, now I have much more concern and realization how one incident can and does affect a cyclist. As I heal and fix my bicycle I ponder deeply how riding will look for me in the future.
Safety equipment is of extreme importance, and of even more importance now to me. Having a quality and properly fitting bike helmet definitely saved my life that day. Wearing protective glasses with a strap was also important to my survival. With secure access to my phone that day, I was able to call for help. Before this accident, I wore these items as a precaution for what I considered improbable. When I ride again, it will because of what is practical.
Riders, drivers and pedestrians must be alert and cognizant of each other. DePaolo & Zadeikis Law Offices in a recent article state that cyclist are more apt to be hit on busy areas although accidents can happen anywhere. Time of day is also a key factor in accidents. Rush hours are the most typical times for accidents. Riders who are involved in an accident should follow the advice of Ankin Law Office in seeking medical treatment and the police and if able gather information from witnesses.
I fully intend to get back in the saddle and enjoy cycling again. I have cycled in Thailand, Italy, England, and at home. While I may add more flashers to my bicycle, I will probably adjust the timing of my rides as well as the locations and areas. Riding is still a great joy for me and I will cherish that first ride in a few months once I am healed. The true reality is that accidents happen and that there are bad drivers and bad people in the world. This however will not stop me from enjoying my passion for cycling.
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